735 suspicious fires lit this bushfire season prompts $50k reward

Last week a bushfire in Banjup threatened 200 homes and police believe it was deliberately lit. Picture: Department of Fire and Emergency Services.Source: News Limited

MORE than 700 suspicious fires have been lit in WA this bushfire season, prompting authorities to urge people to dob in an arsonist for a potential $50,000 reward.

Twelve people, including 10 juveniles, have been charged with deliberately lighting fires in WA since a taskforce was launched in mid-December.

With the cost of fighting bushfires in WA estimated at $1.6 billion a year, two state ministers are pleading for people to consider the potential damage of starting fires.

“Lighting a bushfire is one of the lowest acts you can do,’’ Emergency Services Minister Joe Francis said.

“The fear, panic and stress of seeing a bushfire bearing down on your house, and having to flee for your life, is truly horrifying.’’

Last week a bushfire in Banjup threatened 200 homes, including Mr Francis’s, and police believe it was deliberately lit.

The spike in deliberately lit bushfires — with 735 fires classed as suspicious so far this summer — prompted a reminder that a $50,000 reward is available for information that helps convict an arsonist.

The penalties for arson in WA are severe, with life imprisonment the maximum sentence for anyone who wilfully destroys or damages property by fire.

A NOTE ABOUT RELEVANT ADVERTISING: We collect information about the content (including ads) you use across this site and use it to make both advertising and content more relevant to you on our network and other sites.